Two winters ago, Francisco Rodriguez was the most attractive free agent closer around, but if the Mets put him on the trade market this winter, it's hard to imagine that interest would be anything but tepid. With so much uncertainty surrounding the Mets front office, most attempts to predict the team's offseason moves are speculative, but it's safe to say that Rodriguez, now on the disqualified list, may end up on the trade market this winter.
Last month, Joel Sherman of the New York Post suggested that Rodriguez is nearly untradeable. A post-game outburst in August led to an arrest – not the sort of behavior teams look for from their players. Worse still, Rodriguez injured a ligament in his thumb and required surgery. He should be ready for the 2011 season, but teams can't be completely certain about the reliever's health.
Rodriguez isn't cheap, either. He makes $11.5MM in 2011 and will earn a $3.5MM buyout for the 2012 portion of his contract, even if his option doesn't vest. In other words, any team acquiring Rodriguez will face a $15MM commitment for a pitcher whose fastball has slowed down 4 mph over the course of the last four seasons.
But Rodriguez can pitch, despite the dropoff in velocity. He had 25 saves and a 2.20 ERA with 10.5 K/9 and 3.3 BB/9 before his injury. He's just 28, but he has been one of the most dominant late-inning relievers in baseball for most of the last decade and has already made 21 postseason appearances. K-Rod has lived up to his nickname, striking out far more than a batter per inning over the course of his career.
Teams will presumably shy away from him because of his reputation as a hot-head, but supposed problem players like Manny Ramirez (2008), Vicente Padilla (2009) and Yunel Escobar (2010) have rewarded the teams that looked past their reputations. Rodriguez could do the same, but a team would have to trade for him first. At this point, it looks like the Mets would have to take on significant salary to make a deal, and even if the front office were willing to do so, the odds would be stacked against a trade.
Maybe the Cards could package Lohse and a prospect for K-Rod? The money would work and who knows who’ll be managing either team next year…
If the Cardinals offered that to the Mets, I would drive him to St. Louis myself.
I’ll chip in for gas!
haha i wish lol. lohse+prospects won’t get k-rod who is still effective when healthy as oppose to lo(h)se.
Depends on the prospects, and I’ve seen Minaya make worse moves. You never know how other teams will value a starter.
That said, I’m thinking it would take a pretty good prospect like Craig or Jay.
Gee, an Omar Minaya signing turned into a debacle? What’s the world coming to?
Your boy Hendry ain’t any better so calm down there jack.
The Mets converted KRod’s contract to non-guaranteed after he hurt his hand punching his gf’s father at the park. I fully expect the Mets to release him after the season ends, and the MLBPA will file a grievance. We’ll see how that plays out.
The Mets can only do this for this year because his injury was off the field and do not have to pay as long as he is out. When he is able to return, they must pay the contract as long as he is able to perform. If they do release him, they’re stuck with the salary.If it goes to an arbitrator, MLBPA will win the case. Don’t expect the Mets to eat any of his salary next year.
I would be all over this if I was a GM. How often does a team basically give away a still very good closer for discount price? Sure he’s a hothead who has had some legal problems but his numbers are still very good not to mention his type A status. At the very least you could put up with him long enough to get draft picks.
Coco for K-Rod?
If you are talking about Crisp or Cordero, the answer is no. If you are talknig about a box of coco crisps, the answer is yes.
Cordero, same money next year just about. Lastings Milledge said the other day that you know what Coco is throwing by the way he holds the ball or something.
Any way around it, he’s been one of the worst closers in the NL this year, and a change of scenery could do both him and the Reds some good.
K-Rod can’t throw his curveball for a strike. All you have to do is sit on the fastball.
I heard Jocketty is cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs.
Had a good time watching Kyle?
I enjoyed the game all the same, but he just wasn’t on. He seemed rushed. He’s young though, and he’ll figure it out I’m sure. I look forward to seeing his starts in the future.
I also had the pleasure of watching Ichiro’s 10th consecutive 200 hit season and Bautista’s 50th the next day, so all-in-all it was a great two games.
Glad you had a good time man!
Drabek will settle down.
This may sound nuts, but the injury to his thumb may actually help his arm. It’s a fact that K-Rod has lost something off his fastball the last few years. With the rest due to the injury, it’s possible that his arm gets a little more time to recover and possibly he comes back stronger next spring.That he comes back wiser is debatable.
The Mets might want some salary space to maneuver, but they just can’t trade Krod right now. He’s still likely to be very good for a while, too much tied up in him, and his value is at a career low because of all of these question marks. By this time next season Krod will probably have this stuff behind him and yes back to beignet an elite closer.
Yunel Escobar as a hot head and clubhouse nuisance was an absolute load of s*#*
Francisco Rodriguez? Why would the Angels want to trade him?
Oh wait we’re talking about Francisco Rodriguez who beat up his girl’s father.
He really only had one good year as a closer and that was with Anaheim but the thing is they only used him with SOs never in a tie game never in a wash up game.. so really his Saves record is not that great.. and his value is that equal to what the Cubs for Derrek Lee.. 2 players that are guaranteed never make the ML level.. In this case the Mets might get that plus maybe a throw in player.. hell make it a three way and the Mets can have Geovany Soto for a large NY Style Cheese Pizza.
How about Frankie for Zambrano?